A college visit to Texas A&M sparks students’ drive to succeed

The cadets in uniform, the large buildings, the football stadium, and students skateboarding and riding bicycles to class were some of the first things Yates High School senior Jason Covarrubias noticed upon arriving on the campus of Texas A&M University.

Until last week, he had never visited a college outside of Houston.

“I could go by myself on a college visit, but I’d be lost in the process,” he said. “My parents probably couldn’t go with me because they have to work, and I work on the weekends. So for HISD to do this, I really appreciate it.”

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HISD took about 120 12th graders to College Station last week to visit Texas A&M. Students from Davis, Furr, Kashmere, North Forest, Worthing, and Yates high schools and Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy boarded charter buses as early as 6:30 a.m. to participate in the day-long trip. Continue reading

HISD’s Energy Institute High School named beneficiary of OTC fundraiser

The Energy Institute High School has been selected as the beneficiary of the 2015 Annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) Dinner, scheduled for May 3 at NRG Stadium.

Each year, net proceeds from the dinner – held in conjunction with OTC’s flagship Houston conference and attended by industry leaders from around the world – are awarded to a charitable organization that is connected to the offshore energy industry and makes a positive impact in the community. Continue reading

Some campus carnivals give visitors a sneak peek inside magnet programs

Parents considering Parker ES’s music program can see its advanced bands perform Oct. 18

Many HISD schools hold campus carnivals each fall to raise money for various programs and initiatives, but some also offer parents a sneak peek at their magnet programs.

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Condit ES stakeholders hear construction plans ahead of groundbreaking

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Condit Elementary parents and neighbors gathered for a community meeting Thursday evening to hear about the construction timeline and see final design plans for the school’s new 21st century campus. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 1, and construction will begin before the end of the year.

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HISD board receives update on fine arts education in the district

‘Significant’ number of schools looking for increases

HISD’s Board of Education held a workshop Thursday on the status of fine arts education in the district and heard that in a survey, a “significant number” of schools said they would like to implement greater access to arts education immediately.

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Sharpstown seniors get help with college applications

Workshop guides students through ApplyTexas, HCC processes

While 9-11th graders were busy taking the PSAT College Board exam Wednesday, seniors at Sharpstown High School huddled over their PowerUp laptops and created an account on ApplyTexas, an online college application that allows students to apply to every Texas public university, plus some private and two-year schools.

“A lot of our students are low-income, first-generation, underrepresented, said College Guidance Administrator Aaron Rodriguez. “If there’s not someone there to guide them, to push them to apply, I think [the college application process] would be really challenging for them. That’s what we’re here for.”

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Batter up! Key MS breaks ground on new, state-of-the-art baseball field

SELF and Fondren foundations bring baseball, unity to school community

When baseball season begins next spring, the students at Francis Scott Key Middle School will be running the bases of their new baseball field. The Stacey and Bo Porter SELF Foundation, in partnership with the Fondren Foundation, are together donating the construction and support for the field.

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“Part of our mission is facility improvements, and this is a step in that direction,” said Bo Porter, chairman of SELF — which stands for Sports, Education, Lifeskills, and Faith.

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Preliminary magnet review shows improvement among probationary programs – 2 slated to have status restored

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected. Neither Jane Long Academy’s Allied Health Sciences magnet program nor its Futures Academy is impacted by this review.

The HISD administration gave a preliminary view on Thursday of magnet programs that would be affected by the application of district enrollment criteria and state academic standards – an annual review process that was developed in 2013.

The systematic review applies minimum standards for magnet programs for attracting students from outside their attendance boundaries. Schools are also required to meet minimum student achievement standards to maintain magnet status. Continue reading

KHOU Surprise Squad delivers breakfast to HISD bus drivers

surprisesquadHISD bus drivers received a big surprise early Thursday morning on live television, thanks to the KHOU 11 Surprise Squad. Drivers, mechanics and staff members cheered as KHOU reporters Chita Johnson and Mia Gradney handed out more than 400 burritos, courtesy of Breakfast Burritos Anonymous.

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